all about the buddha bunnies:

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Maple was rescued in October 2022 from an animal cruelty case in Lassen County, along with more than 100 other animals. I saw a photo of her online through a FUR social media post in summer of 2023 and instantly fell in love (Maple did not feel the same way about me...she was completely indifferent). However, Maple was battling an upper respiratory infection at the time and wasn't available for adoption. I took her in as a sanctuary bunny, promising to foster her for the rest of her life. 

With the help of special respiratory forages and vet-prescribed medication, Maple got over her infection and lived a happy, binky-filled life for a while. However, she was diagnosed with a tumor (thymoma) in March 2025. She battled it bravely for four more months until another health issue came on suddenly and she passed away on July 28, 2025.

I made Maple's Memorial Mix- a loose-leaf herbal tea blend made with Maple's two favorite things (chamomile and rose petals) in September 2025. It is available to purchase in 1 oz. pouches (equal to 15-18 servings) with proceeds benefitting FUR.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kayla’s friend Nicole posted on Facebook she was looking for someone who could bunny sit her mini lop house rabbit Churro. Self-employed and pet-less, Kayla jumped at the chance to share her North Lake Tahoe home office with Churro for a week. Afterwards, she begged her boyfriend Bundad to get a house rabbit of their own. 

In late December 2021, holland lop rabbit Pixi Stick the Licker (Pixi, for short), a former failed show bunny, moved in with Kayla and Bundad. When Pixi died, Kayla started questioning Pixi’s place in the afterlife. Two months later, they took in mini lop Marvelous Miss Maple Muffin Top (Maple, for short), who was rescued from a Lassen County animal abuse case. 

Over the last two years, Maple stole Bundad and Kayla’s hearts through thumps, flops, sploots, binkies, kickouts, and quiet displays of unconditional love. 

For fans of MARLEY & ME by Josh Grogan and RAISING HARE by Chloe Dalton, THE BUDDHA BUNNIES is told in a first person narrative attempting to show the bond that forms over time between owners and their pets while also celebrating rabbits’ unique personalities and inherent nature. 

  Friends of Unwanted Rabbits (FUR) is a rabbit rescue organization founded in 2004.

We are dedicated to finding forever, loving, indoor homes for abandoned and neglected rabbits dumped at local area shelters.  Our goal is to increase public awareness of these intelligent, social creatures as house pets.  We are committed to improving the lives of companion rabbits through education on proper rabbit care. We support spaying/neutering rabbits to improve overall health, behavior and to decrease overpopulation.

Why does FUR exist?

Each year thousands of rabbits are abandoned at local area shelters.

Rabbits are the 3rd most frequently discarded animals at shelters and the most often overlooked. Most are discarded by their owners due to a lack of understanding and knowledge of these highly intelligent creatures. Others are dumped by irresponsible breeders. In the recent past 100% of the rabbits discarded at the Sacramento County Animal Care & Regulation were euthanized. Since its inception, FUR has decreased the euthanasia rate to less than 1%.

  About a year ago, I had a local apothecary custom-make a special forage for Maple to help boost her respiratory and immune systems. After Maple died, I took the leftovers and steeped her forage blend in water and drank it as a tea. I think it tastes pretty good...and have started noticing some health benefits in my own body. 

Therefore, I have created a blend with her two favorite ingredients-- chamomile and rose petals-- as well as added some other Maple favorites such as calendula flowers and astragalus root into a delectable tea for you and/or a forage treat for your bunny. 

 The health benefits of Maple's Memorial Mix: (These should act as supplemental treats to your bunny’s normal diet and should not replace pellets, hay, or prescribed medication. )

Chamomile flowers- Maple always had a dreamy little look in her eye when she ate this out of my hand, likely because it made her relaxed and soothed her digestive tract, which bunnies always seem to need help with. 

Rose petals- Maple loved, loved, loved rose petals and rosebuds, it was one of the last things she ate before passing away. They are rich in vitamin C and supported her joints so she could binky (or nap) at full capacity. This is one of my favorite herbs for tea, too. 

 Calendula flowers- This was one of Maple’s favorite flowers that she always pulled out of her forages and ran off with. It’s soothing, helps heal wounds, and promotes a healthy coat. If you get a full flower in your mix, I suggest you give it to your bunny…unless they’re like Maple and will hop off and drop it down the heater/AC vent.  

Astragalus root- This supports the bunny’s immune system, has anti-inflammatory properties, and boosts the respiratory functions, which was especially beneficial to Maple who had a URI when I got her. 

Peppermint- Have a gassy bunny? Maple had some gas bubbles in her belly once, and I think this herb helped. Into anything fragrant, this also cleared out her sinuses and soothed that hind-gut fermentation going on in that cute often-splooted-out tummy. of hers. 

Lemon balm- Another good respiratory aid, this aromatic herb also calms a bunny’s nervous system and boosts digestion. 

Maple's Mix loose leaf tea blend is currently available in 1-oz. pouches (equal to around 15 cups of tea) for $8, with a portion of the proceeds going to FUR.